“If you read their statement today, they make it very clear that they are unhappy with how this all went down.” This was the conclusion that NHL insider Elliotte Friedman drew from the statement that Charlie McAvoy’s team Boston Bruins, had put out, giving a detailed rundown of the injury that the defenseman had sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The statement by the Bruins said that after sustaining an injury in the acromioclavicular joint of his right shoulder in the clash against Finland on February 13, McAvoy underwent treatment under the Team USA medical staff. Thereafter, he developed increasing pain upon returning to Boston, prompting an examination by the Bruins’ medical staff, who found out that, besides having a significant injury to his AC joint, he also had an infection in his right shoulder.

Friedman pointed out that it was strange that the announcement that McAvoy wouldn’t play came from the Bruins and not from Team USA, who were technically responsible for the defenseman during the international tournament. Thus came the conclusion that the NHL team was dissatisfied with how their player had been treated by the national team.

Now, over a month after the incident, the Bruins’ defenseman shared his thoughts on the “reports out of Canada” that claimed that his NHL team was unhappy with the initial treatment that Team USA had administered to him. “Well, I think you’d just have to talk to them about that,” began McAvoy. “I know what I went through, and I know how I feel about it. But I’m not really sure how other people felt,” Charlie McAvoy told reporters.

The defenseman was so preoccupied with recovery that he barely paid attention to the buzz. “To be honest… didn’t really give it much thought, you know, when I was the one that was going through it all… I’ll just leave that there. It’s been a lot. It’s tough,” the Bruins veteran added during the locker room interview, seemingly eager to change the subject.

The Boston Bruins have also let bygones be bygones. Don Sweeney didn’t entertain any questions on the topic after the 4 Nations, either. When asked by a reporter as to who made the decision to let McAvoy play in the round robin game against Canada despite his injury, Sweeney said, “Again, we’re beyond all that.” Now, everyone, including Charlie McAvoy, just wants to get back on the ice.

How will Charlie McAvoy’s return impact the Bruins?

McAvoy’s experience is something the Boston Bruins have missed since the NHL resumed after the 4 Nations Face-Off. Coach Joe Sacco discussed how McAvoy’s return practice had a positive effect on the squad. “It’s good to have him here. It’s good to see him on the ice with his teammates, and I just think it’s a good boost for the morale of the team,” said the interim head coach.

The Boston Bruins team looks nearly unrecognizable compared to when Charlie McAvoy left to join Team USA for the 4 Nations tournament. Familiar faces like Brad Marchand are no longer in the squad. So Sacco explained having an “experienced” player around will help the newcomers fit in that much better.

Yet it’s not bright and rosy for the Bruins. “There’s still no timeline on his return,” said the head coach, crushing any hopes fans may have had of seeing McAvoy return to hockey against the Ducks. The 27-year-old is still testing the waters and hasn’t gotten the green light from the doctors yet. There’s also little chance his arrival will do little more than provide a morale boost.

The Boston Bruins’ chances of making the playoffs are nearly nonexistent. Charlie McAvoy himself expressed his exasperation about the current season. “I wish a lot of things would have been different coming down the stretch,” the 27-year-old told reporters. On paper, there’s still an ultraslim chance that the Bruins qualify for the playoffs. Yet, it looks almost impossible with Boston riding on a six-match losing streak.